Mites that won't die... HELP

I got the permethrin 10 and followed the instructions and sprayed it on almost every bird. I'm confused how this works tho by just spraying it on the vent and under wings
 
I got the permethrin 10 and followed the instructions and sprayed it on almost every bird. I'm confused how this works tho by just spraying it on the vent and under wings
Well, I think it's oil based (causing the residual effect). I think when you spray those areas, it still spreads a little on the skin. (Think, many flea treatments for dogs just get the drops spread along the ridge line of their backs or even just at their shoulders and still work) But also those are the most active areas for chickens and the bugs will crawl across as they travel around. What I can tell you is.. that is how I do it and despite some feather damage which caused me concern and took a bird to the vet to verify I didn't have depluming mites which are microscopic, so not visible to the naked eye AND also NOT treatable by permethrin (Ivermectin is required). He confirmed I did at some point have parasites but there was no current evidence of activity. So I am confident that spraying those areas is effective and efficient, though I get and appreciate your line of thinking! Things need to make scense to me as well. :)

I'm not sure why you only got "almost" every bird. The ones that didn't get sprayed may become the sole target of any surviving pest. I get EVERY bird. But making sure not to use more often than indicated in order to help avoid the pest building resistance which has been shown to happen with many products including permethrin.

It is my understanding that there is NO egg withdrawal period from permethrin WHEN used according to directions, though it should be on the label. Sometimes labels are tricky and have things written under the label which you have to peel back to see. I have not yet with held any eggs and also not experienced any noticeable illness from it.

But the Ivermectin stays in the system for a while and has been shown to pass into meat and eggs. I would probably withdrawal from that for at least 30 days. It is not even labeled (or approved) for use in poultry. :( Have you already been eating them?
 
I also think that there's no egg withdrawal for permethrin, when it's used as directed on the label. Rules change though, but I didn't see anything different this weekend when searching. You could call your state poultry expert (at the university) for the latest, or call the drug manufacturer.
Ivermectin will be in the eggs for a while and is not approved for use in poultry for that reason. You have to decide when to eat those eggs; I wait a week, for no really good reason, except it makes me feel better about it. Individuals who truly have adverse reactions to ivermectin (there are some) should avoid those eggs much longer.
If you look at the FARAD website, the topical use in cattle, which is approved, has these withdrawal periods; For meat, 48 days, and for milk, 53 days. LONG! It's a great drug, but it does linger. Mary
 
Last edited:
I have a lot of birds so getting them all in one sitting was almost impossible. I got the others today. My speckled sussex too had a ton in his butt area. My houdan is almost clean. Does this keep working for days or do you treat daily until you don't see them? Ivermectin did basically nothing and no I haven't been eating the eggs.
 
It's so hard when I'm the only one doing this. I have three coops with three different flocks. Two kids. Two goats. Two rabbits. I'm so stressed out and trying to find time to deal with this all.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom